Put Nation First, Take Up Leadership: Sitharaman Urges Gen Z, Gen Alpha

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday called upon Gen Z and Gen Alpha to take up leadership roles, shoulder responsibility and put the nation’s interests above all else.

Addressing the 36th convocation ceremony of Dr M G R Educational & Research Institute, Sitharaman said young graduates should reflect on their role in society and ask what they could contribute to the country rather than what the country had done for them.

“Whether you call yourselves Gen Z or Gen Alpha, we are all ready to listen to what you have to say,” she said, urging students to develop a deep sense of civic duty and responsibility.

The minister advised the graduates to take up leadership in their respective fields and never compromise on national interest. Referring to ongoing conflicts around the world, she said citizens should recognise the importance of having a secure and strong nation.

Sitharaman also highlighted India’s economic resilience, saying the country had maintained macroeconomic stability despite global uncertainties, including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East that have affected supplies of crude oil, gas and fertilisers. She said India had recorded 7.8 per cent economic growth, attributing the stability to strong political leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Highlighting employment opportunities, Sitharaman said Tamil Nadu has emerged as a major industrial and technology hub. She pointed to the Sriperumbudur-Oragadam corridor as a leading global centre for automobile manufacturing and smartphone exports.

She said Tamil Nadu has around 350 Global Capability Centres, nearly 10 per cent of the national total. Coimbatore alone has 80 GCCs employing around 12,000 professionals, while Madurai and Tiruchirappalli are witnessing rapid cluster growth.

Sitharaman also highlighted budgetary support for working women's hostels in every district to encourage women pursuing STEM education. Quoting the Thirukkural, she urged graduates to remain humble, patient and avoid a victimhood mindset. More than 3,200 students received degrees across various disciplines at the ceremony.